Burn protection for wood poles

ABSTRACT

Poles are protected from fire damage by forming a vegetation-free buffer zone around them that needs little or no routine maintenance to retain its effectiveness. This is implemented by pole-protection systems and methods that include a peripheral apron positioned around the pole and sized to form the desired vegetation-free zone, and a cover that covers and protects the apron. In example embodiments, the apron is made of a woven geotextile fabric with an annular shape, with a central opening for receiving the pole, with a radial slit forming free ends for displacing to install the apron around the pole and for returning and fastening in place to form a continuously extending peripheral sheet. And the cover is made of crushed and washed rock forming a rock bed that covers the apron to protect and insulate it from UV radiation and fire damage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to support poles for elevatedobjects such as utility lines, and particularly to protecting woodutility poles from fire damage.

BACKGROUND

Utilities commonly install wood poles for suspending utility lines suchas electric conductors and cables. A long-standing problem is that woodpoles exposed to fire will ignite and burn near the ground level.Severely burnt poles can fail and come down, causing safety andreliability issues, as well as blocking access. This is particularlyproblem-some in areas that are remote and/or that have high incidencesof wildfires, for example much of the western United States.

One conventional practice is to apply a fire retardant to the exposedbase of each pole in an effort to reduce the likelihood of the poleigniting. Another conventional practice is to apply herbicides on theground around the base of each pole in an effort to minimize the growthof vegetation that can ignite and in turn cause the pole to ignite.These solutions require regular vegetation-maintenance visits forreapplications and growth removal, and as such have not provensatisfactory in practice.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements inprotecting wood support poles from fire damage. It is to the provisionof solutions meeting this and other needs that the present invention isprimarily directed.

SUMMARY

Generally described, the present invention relates to pole-protectionsystems and methods that include a peripheral apron positioned aroundthe pole and sized to form a desired vegetation-free zone, and a coverthat covers and protects the apron. In example embodiments, the apron ismade of a woven geotextile fabric with an annular shape, with a centralopening for receiving the pole, with a radial slit forming free ends fordisplacing to install the apron around the pole and for returning andfastening in place to form a continuously extending peripheral sheet.And the cover is made of crushed and washed rock forming a rock bed thatcovers the apron to protect and insulate it from UV radiation and firedamage. Accordingly, the pole-protection systems and methods protect thepoles from fire damage by forming a vegetation-free buffer zone aroundthem that needs little or no routine maintenance to retain itseffectiveness.

The specific techniques and structures employed by the invention toimprove over the drawbacks of the prior art and accomplish theadvantages described herein will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of example embodiments of the invention and theappended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a pole-protection system according to anexample embodiment of the present invention, showing a peripheral apronand a peripheral apron cover in use protecting a wood utility pole fromfire damage.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pole-protection system and the pole of FIG.1, showing a portion of the pole-protection cover removed to reveal theunderlying pole-protection apron.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional detail of the pole-protection system and aportion of the pole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view detail of a portion of the pole of FIG. 1ready for a method of installing the pole-protection system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the pole portion of FIG. 4 with the surrounding vegetationremoved according to the method of installing the pole-protectionsystem.

FIG. 6 shows the pole portion of FIG. 5 with the pole-protection apronbeing installed around it according to the method of installing thepole-protection system.

FIG. 7 shows the pole portion of FIG. 6 with the pole-protection aproninstalled in place according to the method of installing thepole-protection system.

FIG. 8 shows the pole portion of FIG. 7 with the pole-protection coverinstalled in place over the pole-protection apron, to compete theinstallation, according to the method of installing the pole-protectionsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1-8 show a pole-protectionsystem (aka pole protector) 10 according to an example embodiment of theinvention. The pole protector 10 is shown in use protecting a woodutility pole 8, installed and supported in the ground 6 and supportingelevated utility lines 4, from damage from fire and associated heat.

The pole protector 10 is shown and described herein for use inprotecting poles 8, which are intended to be broadly construed toinclude not just conventional cylindrical wooden utility poles but alsoother wood structures (e.g., frames, masts, uprights, posts, trees,large irrigation risers, etc.) for supporting other elevated objects andalso poles made of other materials (e.g., metal poles that are notflammable but that can structurally weaken upon exposure to extremeheat). Also, the pole protector 10 is described herein for use inprotecting poles 8 supporting elevated electric utility lines (e.g.,conductors and cables) 4, but it can alternatively be used to protectpoles supporting other elevated objects (e.g., CATV lines, outdoorlamps, cellular-network communications equipment, etc.) as well as toprotect other objects such as pad-mounted utility and telecommunicationsequipment.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the pole protector 10 includes an apron 12 thatperipherally surrounds and protects the pole 8, and a cover 14 thatcovers and protects the apron 12. The apron 12 is installed on theground 6, typically after it has been cleared of vegetation 2, so thatit peripherally surrounds the base/butt of the pole 8 at ground leveland forms a vegetation-free zone extending continuously all the wayaround the pole 8. In the depicted embodiment, for example, the apron 12is a woven geotextile fabric and the cover 14 is a rock bed, asdescribed in detail below.

The apron 12 is made of a material selected for high strength andbalanced permeability. In particular, the material of the apron 12 has apermeability (including water flow rate) that is sufficiently high toenable rainwater from normal rainfalls to drain/flow through it and intothe ground 6 so that the water does not pool on the apron 12 and sit inor on the cover 14 enabling vegetation to grow upward from on top of theapron 12. At the same time, the material of the apron 12 has apermeability (including apparent opening/pore size) that is sufficientlylow (with a sufficiently small opening/pore size) to prevent or at leastminimize vegetation growth upward through it. For example, the apronmaterial can have a permeability of about 0.0048 cm/sec to about 0.0032cm/sec (or about 0.0044 cm/sec to about 0.0036 cm/sec more typically, orabout 0.004 cm/sec in an example commercial embodiment) and a water flowrate of about 7.2 g/min/sf to about 4.8 g/min/sf (or about 6.6 g/min/sfto about 5.4 g/min/sf more typically, or about 6 g/min/sf in an examplecommercial embodiment).

Also, the material of the apron 12 has as a strength (e.g., tensilestrength and puncture strength) that is sufficiently high to resistpenetration by vegetation growth (e.g., it does not deform or fail underforces from vegetation growth) and to provide good durability (i.e.,it's not easily punctured or torn by forces created by uneven ground 6,by the cover 14, and/or by persons walking on the cover 14). Forexample, the apron material can have a tensile strength of about 240 lbsto about 160 lbs (or about 220 lbs to about 180 lbs more typically, orabout 200 lbs in an example commercial embodiment) and a puncturestrength of about 120 lbs to about 80 lbs (or about 110 lbs to about 90lbs more typically, or about 100 lbs in an example commercialembodiment).

This balanced permeability, combined with this high strength, preventthe majority of vegetation from being able to grow in the area where theapron 12 is installed around the pole 8. The balanced permeability ofthe apron 12 enables rainwater to flow down through it, past and awayfrom the cover 14, to help keep the cover 14 clean so that windblownseeds to not lodge in the cover 14 and sprout vegetation growth, and atthe same time is not easy for vegetation to grow through from below.Small amounts of short grasses may sprout seasonally, but any suchgrowth would be insignificant because it would have almost no ability toroot (the roots cannot typically grow downward through the apron 12 dueto its permeability as described above). As such, the term“vegetation-free” is intended to mean substantially free of vegetation(not necessarily absolutely free of all vegetation) and further to referto vegetation that is rooted in the ground and can act as fuel for fire,such that scattered tufts of unrooted short grass may stillsprout/occur. In this way, use of the pole protector 10 eliminates, orat least substantially limits/controls, growth in the vegetation-freezone of any vegetation that can act as fuel for a fire.

In addition, the apron 12 material is typically selected with asufficient flexibility so that it can be laid down on uneven ground andwill generally conform to the ground (e.g., under the force of its ownweight and the weight of the cover 14) for stability and to preventundergrowth of vegetation. Also, the apron 12 material is typicallyselected with sufficient roughness/gripping properties that the cover 14is frictionally encouraged to stay in place over it without additionalsecurement.

In example embodiments, the apron 12 is made of a sheet of geotextilefabric selected with the prescribed high strength and balancedpermeability. Typically, the geotextile fabric is a woven material, forexample a cross-woven geotextile fabric in the medium strength category(e.g., about 150 oz to about 315 oz). In an example commercialembodiment, the medium-strength woven geotextile fabric is a 200 oz.woven geotextile fabric, for example about 22 mils thick, and forexample made of high UV, non-biodegradable polypropylene tapes. One suchgeotextile sheet material is commercially available under the name AEF200W woven geotechnical fabric (manufactured by American EngineeredFabrics) and available for purchase from US Fabrics, Inc. (Cincinnati,Ohio). Example properties of the AEF 200W geotextile sheet material areprovided in Table A.

TABLE A AEF 200W Test Results PROPERTY TEST METHOD ENGLISH UNITS TensileStrength ASTM D-4632 200 lbs Elongation @ Break ASTM D-4632 15% MullenBurst ASTM D-3786 400 psi Puncture Strength ASTM D-4833 100 lbsTrapezoidal Tear ASTM D-4533 70 × 75 lbs Apparent Opening Size ASTMD-4751 40 US Sieve Permittivity ASTM D-4491 0.07 Sec−1 Permeability ASTMD-4491 0.004 cm/sec Water Flow Rate ASTM D-4491 6 g/min/sf UV Resistance@ 150 Hours ASTM D-4655 70%

In other embodiments, the apron is made of another geotextile or othersheet material having the prescribed high strength and balancedpermeability. Such other materials can include plastics, metals,composites, etc.

In addition, the apron 12 is sized to provide the desiredvegetation-free zone around the pole 8. In typical embodiments, theapron 12 has an outer dimension 16 at its outer edge that defines thelaterally outward extent of the vegetation-free zone and an innerdimension 18 at its inner edge that defines an internal opening 20 forreceiving the pole 8. In typical embodiments, the pole 8 is cylindricaland the apron 12 has an annular shape with an inner diameter 18 forminga central opening 20 and with an outer diameter 16 forming a circularvegetation-free zone. In other embodiments, the apron can have anothershape (including rectangular, polygonal, or another regular or irregularshape) as may be desired for a particular application.

Typically, the annular apron 12 has an outer diameter/edge 16 selectedbased on the particular application, specifically, to provide avegetation-free buffer zone of a large-enough size for the type ofvegetation/fuel present in that area (taller vegetation needs to be keptfarther away from the pole 8 so that it does not grow laterally againstand/or get blown against the pole 8). For example, in one embodiment theannular apron 12 has an outer diameter 16 of about 4 feet for use inareas with relatively short grasses (e.g., under about 10 inches inheight), in another embodiment the annular apron 12 has an outerdiameter 16 of about 8 feet for use in areas with relatively tallgrasses (e.g., about 12 inches to about 48 inches in height) and/orrelatively low bushes (e.g., about 12 inches to about 96 inches inheight), and in yet another embodiment the annular apron 12 has an outerdiameter 16 of about 10 feet for use in areas with relatively tallbushes (e.g., about 60 inches or more in height, such as manzanita,bottle brush, and/or scotch broom). In another embodiment, the annularapron 12 has an outer diameter 16 of about 20 feet for use at non-exemptlocations (e.g., for poles supporting lightening arrestors, fuses,solid-blade disconnect switches, and/or other pole-mounted electricalequipment) not just insulators, where some jurisdictions require aminimum 15-foot radius area treated with herbicide or cleared down todirt at all times. As such, the apron 12 typically has an outerdiameter/edge 16 of anywhere in the range of about 4 feet to about 20feet, though in other embodiments it can be larger or smaller.

In addition, the annular apron 12 has an inner edge/diameter 18 selectedbased on the lateral size/dimension (e.g., diameter) of the pole 8 to beprotected. In particular, the inner edge diameter 18 is selected so thatthe central opening 20 provides a snug fit against the pole 8 so thatthere's insufficient space between the apron 12 and the pole 8 forvegetation to grow through. As such, the inner diameter 18 of the apron12 generally conforms to the outer diameter 7 of the butt of the pole 8,with the apron inner diameter thus typically being about the same as, ornominally smaller than, the outer diameter 7 of the pole 8. For example,in one embodiment the annular apron 12 has an inner diameter 18 of about12 inches for use with a pole 8 having an outer diameter of about 12inches, in another embodiment the annular apron 12 has an inner diameter18 of about 16 inches for use with a pole 8 having an outer diameter ofabout 16 inches, and in yet another embodiment the annular apron 12 hasan inner diameter 18 of about 20 inches for use with a pole 8 having anouter diameter of about 20 inches.

The apron 12 can be preformed and provided in several different sizesfor the various applications, for example including the diametersindicated above. In some embodiments, the apron 12 is provided with anouter diameter 16 for forming one of the larger vegetation-free zonesand with an inner diameter 18 for use with one of the smaller sizes ofpoles 8, and then during installation the apron 12 can be field cut toenlarge the inner diameter 18 for use with a pole 8 having a largerouter diameter 7. For such embodiments, the apron 12 material isselected with a thickness, weight, and/or strength that is not so greatthat the apron 12 cannot be field-fitted using conventional hand-heldcutting tools.

Furthermore, in typical embodiments the apron 12 includes a slit 22extending radially all the way through the apron from the outer diameter18 to the inner diameter 16. The radial slit 22 enables the free ends 24(formed by the slit) to be displaced relative to each other so that theopening 20 can be “opened” to place the apron 12 around the pole 8 andthen “closed” to form the continuously extending peripheralconfiguration for use. Fasteners 26 can be provided for securing thefree ends 24 in place (e.g., to the ground and/or to each other) afterthe apron 12 has been configured for use (i.e., positioned around thepole 8 with the opening 20 closed). In example embodiments, thefasteners 26 are provided by U-shaped staples made of steel or anothermetal and for securing into the ground 6. In other embodiments, otherfasteners are used (e.g., anchors or stakes). And in some otherembodiments, the apron is provided without the slit and is for use innew pole installation only (the apron is set down in position around apole hole before the pole is erected) and/or a radial slit is field-cutif used for retrofit installation on an existing pole (including polesinstalled recently and those installed long ago).

Turning now to the cover 14, it protects the apron 14 from UVdegradation and fire damage. As such, the cover 14 is selected so thatit completely covers the apron 12 such that the apron 12 issubstantially (if not completely) shielded from exposure to sunlight(and thus substantially concealed from view) so that it does not degradeand thereafter allow vegetation to grow through it. Also, the cover 14is selected so that it insulates the underlying apron 12 from heatduring a fire sufficiently that the apron 12 does not degrade andthereafter allow vegetation to grow through it. Because the cover 14completely covers the apron 12, it extends peripherally and continuouslyall the way around the pole 8, and as such it has an internal (e.g.,central) opening as well.

In some embodiments, the cover 14 can be further selected as a ballastto assist in holding the apron 14 in place (e.g., so that the apron'souter/free edges do not get upturned and allow vegetation undergrowth),while in other embodiments the apron is secured in place (e.g., to theground) by conventional fasteners (e.g., staples, anchors, stakes, orclips) and the cover need not function to help secure the apron in placebut merely to protect it. And in some embodiments, the cover 14 can befurther selected to form a stable platform upon which workers can walkand stand.

As noted above, in the depicted embodiment, the cover 14 is a layer ofrock material forming a rock bed. The rock-bed cover 14 can be providedby for example about ½-inch to about 2-inch rock, typically about ¾-inchto about 1%-inch rock, and preferably about ¾-inch to about 1-inch rock(this size tends to compact and lock together well). And the rock isstacked about 2 inches to about 8 inches in height (the rock-bedthickness), typically about 2 inches to about 3 inches (this thicknesssufficiently covers the apron 12 and avoids unnecessary digging out ofrock for sub-surface pole inspections). The resulting rock bed cover 14provides a thickness for sufficient heat-insulation to minimize heatdamage to the apron 12 from surrounding fires, provides a shield from UVsunlight damaging the apron 12, and provides a sufficiently heavyballast to hold the apron 12 in place. Typically, the rock is crushedand then washed so that it contains no fines and is free of seeds, andis from a quarry that is free of native material such as seeds. Suchrock is commercially available in for example 9 cu ft bags.

In other embodiments, smaller or larger rock is used to form a rock bedof larger or smaller height/thickness, for example pea rock, D-Ballast,gravel, flat stones, crushed concrete, or composites can be used. Inother embodiments, the rock bed can be made of other types of rockmaterial such a bricks, concrete blocks, or cinder blocks. And in stillother embodiments, other types of cover can be used such as asphaltpaving or poured-in-place concrete. Generally, the cover can be providedby any material meeting the UV and fire protecting functions andtypically also assisting in the securing function, but that does notsupport vegetation growth. As such, dirt and other vegetation-supportingmaterials are typically not used as or mixed into the cover material.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, a method of protecting poles 8 from firedamage will now be described. The protection method is described hereinwith respect to the pole protector 10, but other pole-protection systemscan be used in other embodiments of the pole-protection method.

FIG. 4 shows a pole 8 in an area with vegetation 2 that is susceptibleto catching fire and thus in need of the protection from fire-relateddamage. FIG. 5 shows a site-preparation step of the method, with aselected area surrounding the pole cleared of vegetation 2 to form avegetation-free buffer zone around the pole. The size of the clearedarea is selected as described above with respect to selection of theapron size, and to accommodate the apron is sized larger than the apron.In addition to removing existing vegetation 2, the site-preparation stepcan also include minor grading of the cleared ground 6 forming thevegetation-free buffer zone, removing any boulders or large rockspresent, etc. In some embodiments, the apron is selected with sufficientstrength and anti-puncture properties and/or the vegetation adjacent thepole is sufficiently minimal that the vegetation is not removed in thispreliminary step.

FIGS. 6-7 show an apron-installation step of the method. In particular,FIG. 6 shows the apron 12 being laid out on the cleared ground 6, withits radial free ends 24 (formed by the radial slit 22) moved apart toopen its central opening 20, with the apron 12 being positioned on theground 6 around the pole 8 (with the apron central opening 20 receivingthe pole 8), and with the apron 12 being installed tight to the ground 6and tight around the pole 8 (a small gap is shown between the apron andthe pole for illustration purposes only and is not typically present inthe field). And FIG. 7 shows the apron free ends 24 laid flat in theirfinal/use position and the fasteners (e.g., staples) 26 securing theradial free ends 24 in place. In installation on sloping ground 6, theapron 12 is typically installed with the radial slit 22 positioned onthe downhill side of the pole 8 so that, on the off chance the cover 14fails and exposes the apron 12, the slit 22 and staples 26 are notexposed to downhill running rainwater (which forces might unsecure theradial free ends 24) and not exposed to the vegetative matter therainwater might carry.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows a cover-installation step of the method. Inparticular, the cover 14 is shown installed over and protecting theapron 12, as noted above. While crushed and washed rock forming a rockbed cover 14 is used in this example, other cover materials can be used.

In applications in areas where permitted, a herbicide can be applied,for example on top of the cleared ground 6, on top of the apron 12,and/or on top of the cover 14. For example, a slow-release granularpre-emergent herbicide can be used.

The pole protector 10 thereby provides a strong barrier againstvegetation growth that eliminates (or at least substantiallylimits/controls) vegetation growth around wood poles 8, effectivelyproviding a defensible vegetation-free buffer zone for the pole.Eliminating the “fuel” near the pole 8 drastically reduces thelikelihood of the pole 8 catching fire. And the pole protector 10 iseffective over long periods of time, so it keeps vegetation away fromthe poles 8 with minimal or no routine maintenance. The result is asignificant decrease in pole-line losses from wildfire and in pole-linevegetation-removal maintenance. In addition, because the pole protector10 keeps the area around the poles 8 clean, it also results in improvedaccess for maintenance and inspection. Accordingly, the pole protector10 can be advantageously used in applications including newly builthardened utility lines in rural tier ⅔ areas, wood pole lines alongcritical evacuation routes, or just an everyday pole line runningthrough a grassy field that burns often.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificdevices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shownherein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, theterminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended tobe unnecessarily limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as usedin the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “one” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,”and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least thatparticular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Inaddition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited tothe sequence of steps described but can be carried out in othersequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

While the invention has been shown and described in example forms, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications,additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for protecting a pole from fire damage,the system comprising: a peripheral apron with an internal opening,wherein the apron is installed continuously surrounding the pole withthe internal opening receiving the pole therethrough and with the aprondefining a vegetation-free buffer zone, wherein the apron is made of amaterial with a strength and permeability selected to resist vegetationgrowth through it; and a peripheral cover that covers the apron and ismade of a material that protects the apron from UV and fire damage,wherein the cover is installed continuously surrounding the pole.
 2. Thepole-protection system of claim 1, wherein the apron is made of ageotextile fabric.
 3. The pole-protection system of claim 2, wherein thegeotextile fabric is a woven geotextile fabric.
 4. The pole-protectionsystem of claim 3, wherein the woven geotextile fabric is a sheet of 200oz woven stabilization geotextile fabric.
 5. The pole-protection systemof claim 1, wherein the apron has an inner dimension selected to conformto an outer dimension of the pole to provide a snug fit of the apronagainst the pole.
 6. The pole-protection system of claim 1, wherein theapron has an outer dimension selected to define a sufficiently largesize of the vegetation-free buffer zone based on local vegetation. 7.The pole-protection system of claim 6, wherein the outer dimension isrelatively larger for an application in which local vegetation isrelatively taller and the outer dimension is relatively smaller for anapplication in which local vegetation is relatively shorter.
 8. Thepole-protection system of claim 6, wherein the outer dimension is in therange of about 4 feet to about 20 feet.
 9. The pole-protection system ofclaim 1, wherein the apron has two adjacent radially extending free endsdefining a radial slit, wherein the apron free ends can be displacedfrom adjacent each other in order to position the apron around the polewith the pole received in the internal opening, and wherein the apronfree ends can be returned to adjacent each other in a use position withthe apron continuously surrounding the pole.
 10. The pole-protectionsystem of claim 9, further comprising fasteners that are installed tosecure the radial free ends of the apron in place in the use position.11. The pole-protection system of claim 1, wherein the cover is made ofa layer of rock material forming a rock bed.
 12. The pole-protectionsystem of claim 11, wherein the rock material is washed rock.
 13. Thepole-protection system of claim 12, wherein the washed rock is about ¾inch to about 1 inch in size.
 14. The pole-protection system of claim11, wherein the rock bed is about 2 inches to about 3 inches inthickness.
 15. A pole-protection method using the pole-protection systemof claim 1, comprising: clearing existing vegetation from around thepole to reveal vegetation-free ground of a size larger than the apron;positioning the apron on the cleared ground and around the pole toresist vegetation growth in the vegetation-free zone; and installing thecover on top of the apron to protect the apron from UV and fire damage.16. A system for protecting a utility pole from fire damage, the systemcomprising: a peripheral apron with a central opening, wherein the apronis installed continuously surrounding the pole with the central openingreceiving the pole therethrough and with the apron defining avegetation-free buffer zone, wherein the apron is made of a wovengeotextile fabric with a strength and permeability selected to resistvegetation growth through it, wherein the apron has an inner diameterselected to conform to an outer diameter of the pole to provide a snugfit of the apron against the pole, wherein the apron has an outerdiameter selected to define a sufficiently large size of thevegetation-free buffer zone based on local vegetation, wherein the outerdiameter is larger than about 4 feet, wherein the apron has two adjacentradially extending free ends defining a radial slit, wherein the radialfree ends can be displaced from adjacent each other in order to positionthe apron around the pole with the pole received in the internalopening, wherein the apron free ends can be returned to adjacent eachother in a use position with the apron continuously surrounding thepole, and further comprising fasteners that are installed to secure theradial free ends of the apron in place in the use position; and aperipheral cover that covers the apron and is made of a layer of rockmaterial forming a rock bed that protects the apron from UV and firedamage, wherein the cover is installed continuously surrounding thepole.
 17. The pole-protection system of claim 16, wherein the wovengeotextile fabric is a sheet of 200 oz woven stabilization geotextilefabric, wherein the rock material is washed rock about ¾ inch to about 1inch in size, and wherein the rock bed is about 2 inches to about 3inches in thickness.
 18. A method of protecting a utility pole from firedamage, the method comprising: clearing existing vegetation from aroundthe pole to reveal vegetation-free ground of a size larger than adesired vegetation-free zone; positioning a peripheral apron on thecleared ground and around the pole to resist vegetation growth in thevegetation-free zone, wherein the apron has a central opening sized tofit snugly against the pole, wherein the apron has an outer diameterthat is larger than about 4 feet and defining the vegetation-free zone,and wherein the apron is made of a woven geotextile fabric with astrength and permeability selected to resist vegetation growth throughit; and installing a peripheral cover on top of the apron to protect theapron from UV and fire damage, wherein the cover is made of a layer ofrock material forming a rock bed that protects the apron from UV andfire damage, wherein the cover is installed continuously surrounding thepole.
 19. The pole-protection method of claim 18, wherein the apron hastwo radially extending free ends defining a radial slit, and wherein theapron-positioning step includes: displacing the radial free ends fromadjacent each other in order to position the apron around the pole withthe pole in the internal opening; returning the apron free ends toadjacent each other in a use position with the apron continuouslysurrounding the pole; and installing fasteners that secure the radialfree ends of the apron in place in the use position.
 20. Thepole-protection method of claim 19, wherein the apron-positioning stepincludes positioning the radial slit on a downhill side of the pole.